In February 2015, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, in doing routine sampling, found Listeria in Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Country Cookie Sandwiches and Great Divide Bars. Texas health officials began testing at Blue Bell’s Brenham, Texas, facilities and found Listeria in the same products as well as others. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment then found Listeria in institutional services Blue Bell cups of chocolate ice cream.* Blue Bell had been issuing recalls of the specific products tested, but when Oklahoma found Listeria in products from that plant, Blue Bell voluntarily recalled all of its products on the market. Ten people were hospitalized with Listeria and there were three deaths that resulted.”

The FDA opened an investigation of Blue Bell to determine what executives knew about the presence of Listeria in its plants.” Blue Bell had recalled all of its products in 23 states in April 2015 and suspended all operations until August 2015. Blue Bell determined, after an internal investigation, that its processes for cleaning after finding Listeria in its plants were not adequate.

In addition, the Justice Department followed its policy of opening investigations in food safety cases when the product contamination results in deaths. The focus of these investigations is whether managers and leaders in the companies were aware of sloppy processes, findings of contamination, and so on. For example, there are allegations that Blue Bell did not follow practices recommended by both government regulators and industry groups, something that resulted in the Listeria problems. Fortune magazine reported that Blue Bell found Listeria at the plant in 2013 but did not take the appropriate steps to correct the problem nor was there any disclosure about the issue. “The FDA released inspection reports showing that the company had found the bacteria in its Oklahoma plant, on surfaces such as floors and catwalks, on 17 occasions beginning in March 2013.” What experts refer to as “recall creep” will be a focus of the investigation: What did they know and when did they know it? “Recall creep” occurs when companies begin with small recalls and assure the public of very limited numbers of products being affected. However, as more Listeria was found, Blue Bell had to increase the recall from what was initially just an ice cream treat and its single-serving cups to all of its products.....................................

1. Explain why the company was struggling to perform maintenances?
2. What do you think went through employees’ minds issues?
at these facilities?

3. What kinds of communications would help employees and management in these production Issues?